Buying an old house can be an amazing opportunity, provided that the state of the place is decent and that the location is good enough. This is because the depreciation can ensure that you get a bargain price for a property that, with some work, you may turn into a prime real estate. One of the first things you need to check out when buying property and immediately after you move in is – the plumbing. Here are several reasons why this is so important.
Pipe leaks
The thing you need to understand about pipe leaks is that they create multi-layered problems. A leak is potential fire danger if it’s close to an appliance or a power outlet. Other than this, it causes water consumption in the household, which drastically increases the water bill. Provided that it drips through the ceiling or along the walls, it causes stains that are a proper nightmare to paint over. If it drips on a wooden surface (like floors and furniture) it may facilitate the rotting process. Not to mention the odors that come from all this or the fact that you’ll have a puddle in the middle of your living space. Overall, a pipe leak is a serious issue that you can resolve quite easily if you notice it in time.
It’s fairly simple
One of the things that can make plumbing inspection quite simple is the fact that you already know what you’re looking for. Generally speaking, there are five major points of interest. First, you have the pipe belly information. Bowed and buckled pipes are no longer as efficient. Second, you have the clogging, signs of which are fairly easy to spot. Then, you have tree root intrusion, which can penetrate nearby sewage lines. Metal corrosion is another issue that requires your direct attention. Finally, signs of previous bad repairs might be an indicator that your home’s plumbing needs a bit of a rework. According to experts behind Woden Valley Plumbing & Gasfitting, this usually happens due to DIY plumbing attempts made by previous owners.
Toxic materials in your flow
Another thing you need to take into consideration is the fact that if the home was built before the 1990s, it might have toxic materials in its plumbing. Polybutylene, galvanized steel and lead were commonly used in pre-1990s plumbing. Since then, the majority of regulations forbid this for obvious reasons. However, these materials can still be found in some of the older homes. Therefore, it is worth checking this out and making necessary replacements.
Water consumption
The last thing worth mentioning is the fact that your household’s water bill directly corresponds to the state of your plumbing. A dripping faucet, a leaking pipe or a running toilet can drastically increase the figure on your water bill. So, the sooner you notice this, the more money you get to save. The toilet is also the biggest water consumer in your household, this is why replacing it with a new one or, better yet, a low-flow one, might result in a scenario where you make massive savings; This, however, is a decision that you should make after the inspection.
In conclusion
At the end of the day, you will find that inspecting the plumbing in your home saves money, saves property and makes your home a safer, more pleasant face. Since it is key for the functionality of your household, it is definitely something worth your full and undivided attention. Once you have this out of the way, you can safely proceed to plan the installation of new fixtures or even a full bathroom remodel.
Author bio:
Ayla Anderson is an avid reader and an enthusiastic blogger who writes articles on home improvement, business, Family and beauty. She is also an MBA student who spends much of her time giving advice to newly small businesses on how to grow their businesses. You can follow me on https://twitter.com/Ayla55489508